The waves of Aichi-Nagoya brought another proud moment for India on Thursday.

Indian sailors Manu Francis and Prince Noble clinched the silver medal in the men’s 49er skiff event at the Asian Games 2026, finishing second behind China after nine races.

The Indian duo collected 23 points and also won one of the nine races. Hong Kong took the bronze. For India, it was the first sailing medal of the ongoing Games, adding another chapter to the country’s expanding medal haul.

A Partnership Built Over Years

Behind the medal is a partnership that began long before the Asian Games. According to a NDTV report, Manu and Prince are cousins and childhood friends from Kerala. Their sailing journey started at the grassroots level before taking them to the National Sailing School in Bhopal and the Muziris Yachting Club.

Their ambitions eventually took them into the Indian Army, where they continued their specialised training at the Army Yachting Node. The journey has been marked by steady progress rather than a single breakthrough.

The pair won bronze medals at the 2022 Asian Sailing Championship in Abu Dhabi and the 2023 Asian Sailing Championships in Pattaya, Thailand. They also finished first in the Yachting Association of India’s second Asian Games selection trial in Mumbai in January this year.

Silver After Nine Races 

The 49er is a fast-paced skiff class that demands coordination, balance and tactical decision-making. Across nine races, the Indian pair remained consistent enough to stay firmly in medal contention. Their race victory provided an additional highlight before they eventually secured second place overall.

The silver represents another step forward for the duo as they continue their progression in the 49er class. And there is something particularly special about seeing two cousins who grew up together now sharing an Asian Games podium.

More Medals for India

The sailing silver was part of another busy day for the Indian contingent. In wrestling, Nitesh Siwach reached the men’s Greco-Roman 97kg final after defeating Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar 9-0.

India’s women’s squash team also secured bronze after losing their semifinal against Hong Kong. 

In sepaktakraw, the men’s team confirmed a medal after defeating Vietnam 2-0 in their Group A quadrant match.

In archery, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won bronze in the men’s individual compound event after beating Vietnam’s Cong Duc Dang 149-144.

For Manu and Prince, however, the day belonged to the water—and to a silver medal earned together.